UNPA Digest

​GMPsGlobal retail group to finalize consensus-based GMP standards for supplementsNutraingredients-usa.com​The Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) plans to finalize and publish a consensus-based GMP standard for dietary supplements before the end of Q1 2017. The initiative currently includes 20 major retailers representing both U.S.-based and international operations. Many retailers already have a number of additional requirements beyond GMPs for supplements, and GRMA aims to tie together all of these additional requirements into a single industry audit. Read more→

REGULATORYProbiotics group petitions FDA for labeling of CFUs on productsNutraingredients-usa.comThe International Probiotics Association has submitted a citizen petition to FDA to require the labeling of probiotic ingredients in dietary supplements as colony forming units (CFUs), instead of by weight. The petition states that the effort would help ensure consumers have useful, relevant information about the probiotics in their supplements. CFUs are calculated from probiotic plate counts, which are still the gold standard for quantifying viable cells. Read more→ORGANICNOSB votes to disallow carrageenan and keep GMO 2.0 methods out of organicFoodDive.com, Foodnavigator-usa.comAt its recent fall meeting, the 15-member National Organic Standards Board voted to disallow the controversial seaweed-based ingredient carrageenan in organic foods. The thickener has become controversial over the last five yearsbecause some research suggested it may prompt an inflammatory immune response. To protect organic crops and products from the “incursion” of rapidly developing genetic engineering, NOSB also voted to recommend USDA expand and strengthen the definitions of excluded methods under organic regulations. The board did not, however, make a decision on the use of hydroponics for certified organic crops. Read coverage:Organic Board: Carrageenan shouldn’t be in organic food, no decision now on hydroponics→NOSB votes to keep GMO 2.0 techniques out of organic→MERGERS & ACQUISITIONSDSM partners with Chinese firm to develop CVD product; Dr. Pepper Snapple Group acquires Bai Brands; Pepsi to buy organic drink firm KevitaNutraingredients.com, Nutraceuticals World, TheStreetDSM has sealed a strategic collaboration agreement with Chinese supplement firm By-Health to develop new cardiovascular health products containing tomato extract ingredient Fruitflow. DSM has commercial responsibility for Fruitflow under an agreement with its current owner, Provexis. The Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (DPS), has announced its acquisition of Bai Brands LLC and its complete portfolio of high-growth, premium antioxidant-infused beverages for $1.7 billion. In an effort to expand its portfolio in health and wellness, PepsiCo announced its plan to buy organic probiotic and kombucha beverage company Kevita for an undisclosed sum. Pepsi executives called the company an innovative, high-growth brand in the functional space. Read coverage:DSM and China firm ByHealth seal deal for CVD collaboration→Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to acquire Bai Brands for $1.7billion→Pepsi to buy organic drink maker Kevita→FINANCIALSNatural Grocers cites competition as a key ongoing challenge in year-end reportNewHopeNetworkIn reporting its Q4 and year-end results, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage noted competition as a key reason for its challenging year in 2016 and as it looks ahead to 2017. Co-president Kemper Isley said the company must navigate competition, but that it is also well-positioned with year-end sales up 12.9 percent to $705.5 million. Comp store sales, however, illustrate a key issue in 2017. Read more→GLOBAL REGULATORYEFSA declares fungi-antioxidant safe in foods, supplements; EFSA warns that too much TMDC may take magnesium to unsafe levelsNutraingredients.comThe European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said l-ergothioneine is safe for use in food and supplements in a novel food evaluation. The decision settles EU member state fears that the substance may increase the risk of diabetes mellitus and inflammatory diseases. In another decision, the agency said trimagnesium dicitrate anhydrous (TMDC) is a safe stabilizer and anticaking agent in solid and chewable food supplements but warned that consuming too much may take adults over the safe upper limits set for magnesium. The panel looked at the safety of TMDC following an application from German firm RDA Scientific Consultants. Read coverage:Fungi-antioxidant l-ergothioneine is safe: EFSA→EFSA warns additive may bring adults over the magnesium limit→PROBIOTICSIndustry grapples with appropriate definitions of pre- and probiotics; murky status for prebiotics may open door for polyphenols to enter mixNutraingredients-usa.com, Nutraingredients.comRegulatory definitions for both pre- and probiotics remain hazy, but further efforts are underway to nail down where these ingredients fall in the overall regulatory structure of dietary supplements and dominated discussion at last week's Pre- and Probiotics Forum. The murkiness also leads to further confusion about labeling. One idea is that the definition of prebiotics could be extended to include polyphenolic ingredients. Consultant Tim Avila of UNPA member Systems Biosciences says there is a growing body of evidence to support the notion. He noted that the human microbiome is remarkably adaptable and that polyphenols is a category of food chemicals that has demonstrable effects in the gut. Read coverage:Effort underway to better fit probiotics into regulatory structure→Time is ripe for polyphenols as prebiotics, expert saysSUPPLY CHAINCornell paper contends that microalgae production is key to food securityNutraingredients.comMicroalgae is often held up as the most promising sustainable protein that can feed a growing world population, but first production needs to be scaled up on an industrial level. The costs of inaction are too steep to even contemplate, according to Charles H. Greene, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at Cornell University, the author of a new paper on marine microalgae. He contends cultivation of marine microalgae offers the most potential for food security, although this is not immediately in sight. Read more→CLINICAL RESEARCHProgress being made but still work to do on standards for supplement researchNutraingredients-usa.comIn two articles addressing clinical standards for nutrition products, one notes criticism of botanical research for inconsistent or poor characterization of the ingredients used in studies. Still up for debate is what study materials are best due to the many variables of herbal ingredients, and more funding is needed for analytical testing prior to studies. A second article discusses the value of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) as a quality standard for human studies. Its value for supplement consumers and makers is indisputable, but industry has been slow to adopt the standard.Using comparisons to the GMP model, this commentary dissects the value proposition of GCPstandard in research for nutritional products.Read coverage:The need for standard botanical research materials→Clinical Research: Twenty years of GCP→UNPA MEMBER NEWS4Life promotes marketing team; MegaFood launches ‘Gummy Bare All’ initiative; court upholds Sabinsa patent; study suggests Sabinsa’s curcumin is more active4Life, Manchesterinklink.com, Sabinsa Corp., Nutritional OutlookSalt Lake City-based direct marketing company 4Life has announced two promotions in its marketing department. Kelly Bellerose will take on the role of VP of marketing, and Adam Lisonbee will serve as creative director. Bellerose brings 15 years of experience in direct sales, having joined 4Life in 2013. Her new role will include product marketing, digital and social media. Lisonbee joined 4Life in 2010 as a social media coordinator and will now oversee creative production of video, photography, design and writing. Read more→

As part of its "Big T Transparency" initiative, supplement company MegaFood is enlisting the help ofcustomers to create a new line of gummy supplements in alignment with its transparency and nutrition goals. The “Gummy Bare All” initiative will chronicle the development process from start to finish, even if it fails. Consumers will have the opportunity to follow the process and weigh in on decisions along the way. Read more→

Sabinsa has again prevailed in legal action protecting one of its patents, this time in a suit against Aegle Bios Inc., for willful infringement of its patent for Tetrahydrocurcuminoid. A U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff and ordered a discovery to ascertain damages. Read more→

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences suggests that Sabinsa’s proprietary Curcumin C3 Complex ingredient is a more active curcumin than four other brands for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Researchers measured the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin samples by investigating the effect of oral supplementation on production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Read more→MARKET RESEARCHSupplements, minerals lead growth in China; U.S. prebiotics market takes off as consumer awareness picks upNutraingredients.com, Nutraingredients-usa.comMinerals and dietary supplements are leading the nutrition industry’s charge in China, with vitamins lagging behind, according to a new report from Mintel, which suggests the total market will reach RMB124bn (US$20bn) by the end of the year, up 12.2 percent from 2015. Researchers are forecasting an 11 percent CAGR for supplements in China through 2021. With growing consumer awareness, annual growth rates of 15 percent and confidence that FDA will conclude that inulin and oligofructose are dietary fibers, the future looks bright for prebiotics in the U.S. This article includes insights from industry stakeholders and data from market research firm Global Industry Analysts on the U.S. prebiotics market, which is expected to reach $424 million by 2020. Read coverage:China supplements market uncovered (part one): Minerals and dietary supplements outperforming vitamins→US prebiotics market growing strongly as consumer awareness increases→RESEARCHCarotenoids protect skin from UV exposure; D3 fights autism; probiotics strain reduces stress in fishNutraingredients.com, Nutraingredients-usa.comA new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology suggests that supplements of a lycopene-rich tomato nutrient complex or lutein may protect against the damaging effects of UV exposure to the skin. The study found that oral carotenoid supplements changed expression of indicators for oxidative stress, photo-dermatoses and photo-aging. Taking vitamin D3 supplements may help improve autism symptoms in children, according to the first double-blind randomized clinical trial on the subject, which was conducted at Assiut University in Egypt. Probiotics strain Lactobacillus plantarumhas been shown to reducestress and anxiety in fish and improve vitamin absorption, according to a study from the Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine. Read coverage:Lycopene, lutein supplements show skin protection from within against UV radiation→Vitamin D3 supplements shown to significantly improve autism symptoms→Common probiotics yogurt strain reduces stress, anxiety in fish→ETC.Gaia Herbs’ path to success began with $2,000 and a little bit of magicINC.comIn this article, retailers say Gaia Herbs, which grows some of its ingredients on a 250-acre farm in Brevard, N.C., is a hit with customers because of its background, mission and science. The company also has a rich history in which founder Ric Scalzo spent less than $2,000 of his own money to start the company 30 years ago. He crafted seven elixirs, and he came up with a mechanism to use fresh herbs instead of dried. Scalzo also spent more than a year searching for the little bit of paradise in the Blue Ridge Mountains: a farm that has become the centerpiece of the $50 million business. This profile provides a look at how Gaia has continued to innovate. Read more→